Wednesday, 30 July 2014

Monday the girls arrived for a week with Grandma and Grandad, we spent some of the day cutting out dresses that they are going to make later in the week.

Tuesday we visited Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park. The weather was really hot and after donning our arm bands we headed for the milking barn, where the girls were given bottles to feed the sheep. There was lots to see and do in the barn including holding baby chicks and petting the rabbits.
Next came a ride being towed by a tractor around the farm to see calves and a foal born only one week ago etc.. After this we ate our packed lunch and then headed for the maze, where the girls had to answer questions and fill in a form, the correct answer getting a reward of a badge.

Sunday, 27 July 2014

Chris has been at Billing 4x4 Land Rover show for the three day weekend doing his thing on the GLASS stand. [Green Lane Association]
However yesterday we arranged to meet in the afternoon so I could join him on the off road course arranged near the 4x4 grounds. The weather was wonderful and the crowds in the viewing area enjoyed the cars driving through mud and water.
I'll let the pictures I took tell the story.

Wednesday, 23 July 2014

Having been recently diagnosed with asthma the Doctor and Specialist nurse have been trying to get me under control [ never an easy thing!]. A course of steroids to kick start the treatment left me manic and racing from one job to another, as the course finished I came down to earth with a bump and didn't want to move from my chair. I am now feeling slightly more normal and more able to cope with the asthma symptoms.

During this time I did manage to machine embroider four ladies to make a cover for my serger. The choice of subject and colours are not me at all, but I really like the embroidery now they are sewn out.

For the next three weeks my time will mostly be taken up with my granddaughters, they are actually staying here for two of the weeks so I will put the serger cover embroidery away until I have time to myself again to actually make the cover.

Saturday, 19 July 2014

A friend sent me a link to make a little thread bin, so yesterday I set myself the task of making one.

Using the top of a Pringles crisps box [had to sacrifice myself and eat the crisps!] and some matching fabric to a sewing set I already have, I managed to made the thread bin and it will be very useful when out at workshops.

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

I have been busy watching the Tour de France whenever I get a spare moment. I love the racing and the way teams work together. This year has started badly with Cavendish, Froome and Contador all going out so early in the race.
I decided to keep my hands busy while I watch the TV and have been working on my crochet blanket, my problem is I get so carried away with the cycling that I crochet faster and faster and my tension goes to pot!

This is a wonderful project for learning the basics and new stitches, plus I love the feel of the wool I am using [ that was recommended by the pattern maker].

Friday, 11 July 2014

When I arrived home after my three days away a large parcel was waiting for me full of pretty wool.

Having just taken up crochet again after many many years absence a friend told me about a blog site notyouraveragecrochet.com that had detailed instructions for a throw worked in many different stitches.

I was definitely NOT going to be tempted, I have too many UFO's I need to work on and also I'm not sure I can do it... a day after she told me about the site I gave in, ordered the wool, so watch this space!

Monday I drove to the Temple near Guildford in Surrey. It was an awful journey with the M25 more like a car park than a road. I was please to arrive safe and sound. I settled into my room and then went for a pleasant walk in the beautifully kept grounds.
Most of Tuesday was spent in the Temple, but later in the afternoon I decided to go back to my room for something to eat and then take another walk in the grounds, but the Heavens opened and there was a massive thunder storm and torrential rain so I stayed in my room and read.
Wednesday I did not look forward to my trip home, but all went really well with no hold ups.
It was a wonderful experience and I look forward to going again soon.

Earlier this week Grandad had to do Sports Day duty as I was away.
Eleanor was delighted to see him, even though he found it hard to know where she was, a school full of 6 and 7 year olds all look the same when they come rushing onto the playing field.
Love the hat Eleanor!

Sunday, 6 July 2014

I got so excited watching the Tour de France yesterday I crocheted until I ran out of 'curtain fabric' so during the adverts I rushed into my Happy Room found a pink fabric I liked, quickly cut it into 11/4" strips and then back to the TV and viola! a finished bath mat.
It is lovely and soft to the feet and just the right size, PLUS it used up some of my stash fabric, gave a donation to a worthwhile charity [ see previous post] and kept my hands busy... what a great deal.

Saturday, 5 July 2014

On the spur of the moment I decided to crochet a bath mat, I had been thinking of it for some time but not sure I could do it.
I found somewhere on the www with the idea of taking a bed sheet cutting off the corners and then making a 1" slit ripping the fabric to the next corner, cutting round the corner and the ripping to the next corner etc etc.. this making a huge pile of about 1 to 11/4 inch fabric all in one continuous length.
A trip to the local Red Cross Charity shop and I bought a pretty turquoise and pink curtain 58 x 72 inches for £3. It seemed a shame to cut it up but once I started the ripping process it was great fun and I ended with a VERY long piece of fabric which I wound into a ball.
Using a number 15mm crochet hook, [about the size of a finger!] I cast on a chain of 24 stitches, which turned out to be only 23 when I counted them on the next row.. hey ho!
With Wimbledon tennis semi-finals on the TV I managed to get started and now I'm really enjoying making my bath mat.